Realizing her lapse in decorum, Consort Hui quickly knelt down and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, it is uncertain whether Consort Yi's unborn child is a prince or a princess. If..."
“If we make a hasty decision to promote Consort Yi to the rank of Imperial Concubine after her safe delivery, I am worried that the censors of the previous dynasty will impeach her.”
As she continued speaking, Consort Hui's voice grew softer and softer.
Consort Hui was filled with hatred, so much so that her teeth itched with resentment. Her second prince was already eight years old, but she was only a concubine.
Why was it that Consort Yi, despite giving birth to a breech baby, was promised by the Empress Dowager that she would be promoted to the rank of Consort after a safe delivery?
On what grounds?
She was born into a bondservant family, and so was Consort Yi; they were evenly matched. So why...?
The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she stared coldly at Consort Hui. After a long while, she said in a deep voice, "Consort Yi is thin during her pregnancy and the baby is in an abnormal position. We must give Consort Yi hope."
"The Emperor has few sons. If Consort Yi gives birth to a son safely, it would be reasonable for her to be promoted to the rank of Consort."
Kangxi exchanged a glance with Xu Lejin without making a sound, and respectfully agreed.
Consort Hui was filled with resentment, but she couldn't show it on her face. She could only swallow her anger and secretly pray that Consort Yi would have a difficult childbirth and that both she and her unborn child would die.
Consort Yi's delivery was exceptionally difficult.
On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the delivery began in the afternoon. It continued until dusk, midnight, and the next morning, but the baby still refused to come out. Meanwhile, Consort Yi in the delivery room was barely breathing, exhaling more than inhaling!
The midwife and the imperial physicians were all in a panic.
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